Chapter 22: The Engagement (Part II)

"…Regarding this marriage proposal, Uncle Lu shall make the decision for you. As for the wedding date, you are still young, so there is no rush to discuss it for another two years. What do you think?"

"Mother, why haven't I seen you wearing the white jade hairpin with plum blossom patterns that I bought for you a few days ago?"

Before Yan Xi could answer, Lu Zhi suddenly spoke up. There was a faint smile in the man’s voice as he addressed the Duchess.

Madame Fang laughed indulgently, feigning annoyance as she said, "I have put it away. Listen to your father and Yan Xi, and stop interrupting."

Lu Zhi drew out the end of his sentence, leaning back in a rather languid manner.

"Ah..."

Yan Xi heard it clearly. His interruption just now carried a distinct hint of a prompt. The young girl caught a glimpse of his face from the corner of her eye. She did not hesitate, waiting only for Lu Zhi and the Duchess to finish their exchange.

Slowly, she shook her head at Lu Boling. "Thank you, Uncle Lu, Aunt Lu, and Grandmother, for your concern regarding my marriage. However, I do not wish to be betrothed at this time, so please, let us not speak of this again..."

Her voice was sweet, soft, and melodious, lingering in the air and softening the hearts of those who heard it. Yet, the content of her words truly shocked the other three in the room.

Lu Boling narrowed his eyes slightly and smiled, "Yan Xi, you are unwilling?"

Madame Fang was also quite surprised, her tone gentle. "Your Uncle Lu said it is not for you to marry immediately, but merely to set the engagement. Heir Jiang is talented and accomplished, with a gentle temperament—a true gentleman. I find that he matches your personality well. If you were to marry him in the future, he would surely be a good husband."

Yan Xi naturally knew that Jiang Zhiyan was a good man and would make an excellent husband. If she were honest with herself, his gentle, jade-like demeanor and refined character were exactly her type. The problem was not that...

She dared not think further.

The man was right there in the room, listening to her speak, observing her reactions, her hesitation, and whether she would dare to hint at his interference. She feared he was watching her every move. Knowing that it was better to avoid trouble, Yan Xi did not dare provoke him.

Thinking of this, the young girl shook her head again. "Yes, I am unwilling."

The three people in the room straightened slightly, a sense of realization dawning upon them. The Grandmother then spoke, confirming once more, "Truly, you are unwilling?"

Yan Xi’s gaze drifted slowly; she lowered her head slightly and nodded again. Upon seeing this, the three were convinced, exchanging glances in silence.

Only Lu Zhi curled his lips slightly. The matter was thus settled.

***

Winter days are short; the sky outside had long since darkened, and lanterns were being lit one after another. Lu Boling chatted with her about other matters, mostly concerning her chronic illness, before allowing her to leave.

The young girl stood up, curtsying to each of them as she took her leave. Unexpectedly, just as she finished her gesture, Lu Zhi rose as well.

The man said indifferently, "The snowy road is slippery, and the North Garden is quite far. I shall see her off."

Lu Boling nodded in approval.

Yan Xi felt her heart pounding against her chest. She became deaf to whatever else the others were doing or saying. She was shocked, terrified, annoyed, and confused all at once. In that brief moment, the man’s burning gaze fell upon her.

Taking a sharp breath, Yan Xi lowered her head slightly, forced to steel herself and walk with him...

Before long, the four of them left the Grandmother’s bedroom and passed through the Fu’an Hall. Yan Xi wore a fur-trimmed cloak with a hood, flanked by her maids, Qinglian and Taohong. The two maids walked close to her, shielding her tightly, as if afraid the man might brush against their mistress.

The three remained silent, their unease palpable. Lu Zhi, who had been in front, gradually fell behind, squinting his eyes at the slender figure walking in the middle.

After some time, after walking for a while, he spoke coldly, "Do you think I might eat you?"

The words reached the ears of all three. Yan Xi’s first reaction was to scan the front with a small, fearful gaze, then, finding no one, she cautiously turned her head to look behind her. Following this sequence of movements, Lu Zhi let out a soft, mocking scoff.

Only then did Yan Xi speak to him. "Are you satisfied now?"

Her voice was soft and sweet, purposely hushed so that one would struggle to hear it without careful attention. Lu Zhi did not answer. Yan Xi did not wait for his reply, continuing with her second sentence: "If you are satisfied, you must grant me a favor... Winter is here, and the weather is bitter. A-Tai’s health cannot withstand it. In another month, in such cold, it is possible he might freeze to death. Release him, or no... not release him... at least, could you move him to a warmer place? Would that not be possible?"

The man replied quite lightly, "It can be done."

Yan Xi and her two maids were all taken aback, for he had never been so easy to talk to! The young girl was quite excited and looked up, about to ask for a second time.

Unexpectedly, caught off guard, her wrist was suddenly seized by him. Yan Xi nearly cried out in surprise; a wave of heat washed over her, and in a blink, the world seemed to spin. In an instant, he had dragged her into a moon gate.

He loomed over her, pressing her against the wall. The distance between them vanished in a heartbeat. Lu Zhi pinched her chin, his large hand gripping her waist tightly as he whispered, "And what favor will you give me in return?"

Yan Xi’s fair face looked like a peeled lychee. Now, overcome with shock, her almond eyes filled with tears, and her delicate, vivid lips trembled. Forced to meet his gaze, she was too terrified to speak.

The two maids outside were even more panicked. Their first instinct was to follow them in, but after regaining a modicum of composure, they stopped their feet, both scanning the surroundings like bobbing drums, watching intently, terrified that someone might approach.

Yan Xi could no longer register where they were, but the courtyard was dark, and the house had no lights on; it was clearly an unoccupied place. The young girl trembled all over, her head reaching only to his collarbone. It took a long time before she could find her voice.

"You... you are mad!"

Lu Zhi merely twitched his lips.

Yan Xi struggled. "Let me go..."

Her small hands pushed against him repeatedly, even striking him twice, but he remained unmoved. From time to time, he lowered his gaze, continuing to press her, "Hmm?"

Yan Xi knew what he wanted. It was precisely because she knew that she could not answer, not knowing how to respond. Before long, her small face was burning red.

The man said in a low voice, "Today?"

Yan Xi’s face scorched, and she shook her head immediately. "No, no, no."

Lu Zhi continued, "Tomorrow?"

Yan Xi remained firm, "No, no..."

Lu Zhi spoke for the third time, "The day after tomorrow?"

Yan Xi shook her head vigorously again, but Lu Zhi tightened his grip on her face.

"Shen Yanxi, you are pushing your luck."

"If I insist on having you, what can you do about it?"

Yan Xi’s delicate body shivered, her mind buzzing with a deafening roar. Naturally terrified of his recklessness, she finally trembled her lips and chose the latest date: "The... the day after tomorrow..."

Lu Zhi slowly released his grip. His thumb brushed over her face, then moved to touch her vivid lips. He watched her for a moment, then, without another word, he exited the moon gate.

The moment he stepped out, the two maids rushed in. Seeing their mistress unharmed, they felt slightly relieved, though they could clearly see that her legs had gone weak. Qinglian and the other maid helped her out. Lu Zhi followed behind, seeing them all the way back.